Tuesday, January 29, 2013

This past month was my first visit to the City of Craft event, and boy have I been missing out! For those of you who have never heard, City of Craft is an annual craft sale featuring local vendors. It's all entailing of printmakers, jewellery designers, illustrators, graphic designers, knitters, crocheters, and sewing extraordinaires. Whittled down from 200+ pictures, here is City of Craft 2012:

The event was split into three close venues and I started off at 1093 Queen.

Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project

Paper Pusher Printworks Table

Morico

City of Craft was just before Christmas and ideal for Christmas shopping, which meant limiting purchases for myself. I left the first location with just three things: a pom pom garland from Emily Taylor, a neon diamond print from Emily Taylor as well, and a rabbit tote from Morico as Christmas gift to Hazel.

Next I head to The Theatre Centre at 1087 Queen, my favourite of the venues.

Old Weston

Rare Specimens

Falconwright

Maudstitch

Pidpenky

I left City of Craft regretting not having bought every single thing I liked. Since it's a two-day event, it's probably best to grab everything and anything while you're there because you may not get the chance later (my new rule for the next City of Craft).

Sunday, January 6, 2013

I was a very lucky gal this year to be spoiled silly by my friends & family. Here are some of the gifts I received this Christmas:

From Hazel: Bookhou Printed Triangle Pouch, Tattly giftcard.

Only a true friend would support my somewhat ridiculous wish for designer temporary tattoos. With so many fun tattoos, it'll be hard for me to decide how to spend my giftcard but I have my eyes on the What to Focus On Notebook Set. This print by Marc Johns is one of my favourites, one that I pasted on the front of my own sketchbook in highschool. It would seem the only appropriate next step is to plaster by favourite illustration on myself. On top of the gift of Tattly, Hazel gave me a long-time wishlist item, local & handmade from Bookhou.

From Nic: Rilakkuma Bear Plushie, Wilfred Galope Scarf

Upon handing this first gift to me he said, "You can't return this one, but you won't want to." And he was right. Available at Magic Pony, this plush is too cute words. I love it— that is all.

I borrowed photos right from the Aritzia site to showcase my second gift, the Wilfred Galope scarf. It's so unique from it's asymmetrical look with non-identical stripes on either side. And apart from being distinct, the scarf is a 100% wool, blanket of warmth! I'll be bundled nicely this winter.

Before going on I must point out Nina's choice in gift wrap— excellent pick. Underneath the Christmas kitty wrapping was a bottle of the classic Chloe perfume. The packaging is just gorgeous! Clean, classy, and feminine. It captures and compliments the scent perfectly. Along with the perfume, I also received a much needed laptop case since the purchase of my Macbook Pro a few months ago. The Herschel one is so well-made, making me significantly less worried. And for good measure, she threw in a quirky photo album! Quite the fitting gift since we both take massive amount of film photos.

Aside from an unhealthy amount of chocolate, my parents gave me the usual suspects (PJ's & several pairs of socks) but also the cash put towards a Madewell order I placed just last week. It arrived in the mail a few moments ago (as I am typing this) so I haven't photographed them quite yet. Hence, below are the item photos right off the site. The blouse has a dressy, detailed lace collar but still a comfy and casual material, and the cardigan is just a wardrobe staple done well. It even had elbow detailing, which was a pleasant surprise. Madewell clothes are definitely made well! *cue laugh track*

Other gifts from relatives consisted of chocolate, more chocolate, money, and more chocolate. Needless to say, I might require a few sit-ups.

Friday, January 4, 2013

This Christmas I got myself down to The Paper Place to fetch gift wrapping supplies. I have a major thing for stationery and personalizing gifts. With each person on my list in mind, I picked out a suitable print. So along with my gift wrap picks, I thought I'd give you a peek as to some of the things I gifted to my friends this year.

To Hazel: Rookie Yearbook One, Morico Rabbit Tote

For Hazel I picked out Rookie Yearbook One, because what blog-lovin', style-savvy, design gal wouldn't want this? And I found the tote at City of Craft.

I was oozing stealth this year with Nina's gifts, taking mental notes on items she swooned over as we took on a big chunk of our Christmas shopping together. And even while she accompanied me to The Paper Place and had some hand in picking out gift wraps for others with me, I sneakily purchased her favourite print while her back was turned in the store. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

For Nic, I bundled a plethora of wants & needs into one fabulous, manly Christmas gift. It's always fun shopping for a guy, especially in Club Monaco's menswear. Fun fact: all of these gifts can be worn at once.

And naturally, I selected the perfect gift wrap for his present, Christmas octopuses!..